El Roble Chapel / 57STUDIO

Nestled into a forest of Australian mimosa trees, a small family chapel designed by 57STUDIO provides a quiet and serene place for religious contemplation. The chapel can hold approximately 40 seated people and focuses on providing ” the proper sense of religious spaces…through its communication with the natural surroundings.”

More about the chapel after the break.

Inside the chapel, the mix of stone work and wood retain the color and textures of the surroundings, while the concrete creates the simple forms such as the altar and the pews. The materials emphasize the design’s intent to create a simple and open environment that allows those to focus on their prayer and reflection. Users are aware of the wooded areas as large glass windows visually connect the two spaces.

As the site gently slopes down, a curved stone wall guides users to the central nave under a flat 10 x 10 m roof. Once users enter the nave, attention is focused on the double height area that contains the altar, a small choir space and the sacristy. The back of the nave opens toward a terrace with a full view of the hillside. A small patio opposite the terrace and behind the altar allows people to walk through the forest to enjoy some solitude. Although the chapel provides an intimate setting for the users, the combination of the small chapel with the forest enhances people’s religious experiences.